Ophthalmic mounting and method of making same



Sept. 21, 1937. G. A; ELLESTAD OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed July 28, 1934 2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept; 21', 1937. G. VA. ELLESTAD 2,093,602

OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING AND METHOD MAKING SAME Filed July 28. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR f Patented Sept. 21, 1937 j OPHTHALMIC T OFFICE MOUNTING AND METHOD OF: MAKING SAME 1 Gerhard A. Ellestad, Rochester, N. Y.. ass ignor to Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York .Application July 28, 1934, Serial No. 737 453 7 Claims.

This invention relates to ophthalmic mounts and more particularly it has reference to means for holding and mounting lenses.

The types of spectacles and eyeglasses now in Wide use may be generally classified as being rimmed or rimless. In the former case the lenses are held in and completely surrounded by eyewires or rims of metallic or non-metallic construction while with the rimless type the lenses are held by fittings or mountings secured at opposite edges of the lens without the use of an eyewire or rim. It has also been proposedto provide a so-called semi-rimless type of spectacle by connecting the usual rimless lens straps with an eyewire or rim whichextends partially around the edge'of the lens. This construction provides greater strength and affords more protection to the lenses while still retaining some of the advantages of the regular rimless type of spectacle. In such a semi-rimless type of spectacle the portion of the eyewire is fixedly secured, as by soldering, to the two lensstraps which are at tachedto the lens by the usual screw which passes through a hole in the lens. To properly. mount the lenses in such a type of mounting it is neces- "sary that the lens holes be very accurately located and drilled so that the eyewire portion can be snugly positioned against the edge of the lens. If the lens is not accurately edged and drilled to fit the rim and straps the lens will either be so loosely mounted that it will present an unsightly appearance or will be so tightly mounted as to cause chipping of the lens and put an undue strain upon' the lens with resulting breakage. In either event the spectacle will be improperly assembled from mechanical and cosmetic standpoints.

' One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved type of'lens mounting and method of making same. Another object is to provide an improved and eflicient mounting for semi-rimless spectacles and eyeglasses. Still another object is to provide improved means for securing an eyewire to a mounting. A further object is to provide means whereby a semi-rimless type 01. spectacle can be properly, yet quickly, as-

sembled with a minimum of skill and accuracy. 'These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts and in the method of constructing and combining theparts as will hereinafter be more fully'described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view of a pair of spectacles embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the eyewire and lens.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of 'a modification.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of my lens strap and eyewire with parts in separated relation.

,Fig. 5 is a side view of same.

6 is a front view-of a modified form of strap embodying my invention.

Fig. '7 is a side view of same.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizonta sectional view or same. a

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of another modiflcatiom Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of same. Fig. 11 isa view of the eyewire used in the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of another modification.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of same. Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of a further modification.

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view of same. Fig. 16 is another vertical section of same.

Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view of still another modification. Fig. 18 is-a vertical sectional view of same.

Fig. 19 is a view of the eyewire used in the construction shown in Figs. 17 and 18. I

a Fig. 20 is a front view of a still further modification.

Fig. 21. is a side view of same. An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein I have shown a fragmentary portion of a pair of semi rimless spectacles comprising the lens carrying at one side or edge' thereof the lens strap 26 to which is secured the 'usual endpiece 21 pivotally supporting temple 28.

The inner edge of the lens 25 carries the strap 29 to which isfixedly secured the bridge 30 and.

the arm 31 carrying the nose engaging'pad or guard 32. The lens straps 26 and 29 may be secured to the lens by any suitable means such, for example, as that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,878,371.

The eyewire or rim 33 partially surrounds the edge of the ,lens and preferably has one end 34 fixedly secured to the lens strap 26 as by solder-- ing, for example. The other, end 34 of the eye- 1 wire 33 carries on its rear side a tubular member 35 which is adapted to be brought into alignment with the threaded member 35 secured to the rear side of the strap 29. The screw 31 is positioned within tubular member 35 and coop- '10 lens in a similar manner.

cured, is then secured to'the lens by an element passing through the lenshole. The other strap 29 is then secured at the opposite edge of the The eyewire 33 is then fitted around the edge of the lens so as to provide a snug fit and with the eyewire so held by a suitable clampor other means the screw 31 is inserted and tightened so as to draw the eyewire firmly down around the upper edge of the lens. In case the eyewire is too long so that it will not fit down snugly in place when the screw is in position, it is only necessary to file oil. the end of eyewire 34 and tube 35 until they fit snugly and properly against the seat 38 on the strap 29. It will thus be apparent that I am able to provide a semi-rimless spectacle mounting which can be properly attached to the lens without requiring extreme accuracy in locating the holes in the lens. The eyewire 32 may have an internal groove into which the beveled edge of the lens fits, as shown in Fig. 2, or an eyewire 33' having a. fiat inner surface abutting against a fiat edge on the lens may be used as shown in Fig. 3.

Another modified type of lens strap and eyewire connection is shown in Figs. 6-8 wherein 40 indicates the lens strap comprising the front and rear ears 4| and 42, respectively. The lens 25 is positioned between the ears and held in place by a screw 43 which passes through the hole in the lens in the usual manner. The strap also carries the bridge 44 and the guard arm 45. The strap 40 is so constructed that a free space 48 is provided between the inner face of the strap and the edge of the lens when the strap is secured to the lens. The eyewire 41 extends alon the edge of the lens and down into the free space 48 so that the eyewire extends below the strap 45 as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 7. The eyewire I1 is held in position by means of screw 48 which is threaded into the rear ear I! and adapted to be brought into contact with the eyewire as shown in Fig. 8. The other end of the eyewire 41 is,

1 50 of course, secured to another strap, not shown.

which carries the endpiece just as in Fig. 1. with I this construction the otherstrap, with eyewire 41 soldered-or otherwise secured to it, is first attached to thelens, and the strap 50 is also attached to the lens so that the eyewire 41 extends down intothe free space ll. The eyewire 41 is then held snugly against the edge of the lens and lockedin position by tightening screw 48.

The modification shown in Figs. 9-11 comprises 30 the strap "having the front and rear ears 5i and 52, respectively. This strap is attached to lens 25 by fusible retaining means 53 positioned in the lens hole and anchored to the two ears 5| and 52 by a method disclosed in U. S. Patent 5 No. 1,878,371. The strap 50 has on its inner face a recess 54 so that when the strap is mounted on the lens a free space is afforded by recess 54 between the strap and the edge of the lens. The eyewire 55, just as in the case of Fig. 1, has one 70 end secured to a strap, not shown, while the free end projects down into recess 54. The free end of the eyewire 55 may need to be filed away in order to afford a snug fit of the eyewire around the edge of the lens. The rear ear 52 is provided,

75 on its inner face, with a channel or. groove 56 aoaaeoa which permits some of the fusible retaining means 53 to flow back of the eyewire as at 51 and anchor itself to the eyewire 55 by means of the hole 58 in the eyewire. The free end of eyewire 55 may thereby be fitted to the strap 50 and secured thereto by the same fusible retaining means 53 which holds the mounting on the lens. The strap 50 carries the usual bridge 59 and guard arm 59'.

The modification shown in Figs. 12 and 13 comprises the strap 60 having the front and rear ears BI and 62, respectively, between which is mounted lens 25. The strap may be secured to the lens by any suit-able retaining means such as the screw 53. The strap 60 has a box stud structure providing a recess 64 into which the bridge 65 and guard arm 66 are placed. The strap 60 is so constructed that when it is mounted on lens 25 there is provided a free space 61 between the strap and the edge of the lens. The eyewire 68, as in the case of the structure of Fig. 1, has one end secured, as by soldering, to the other strap, not shown, carrying the usual endpiece. The eyewire 68 extends along the edge of the lens 25 and down through the space 61 so that it projects below the strap as shown in Fig. 12. The screw 69 passes through openings in the bridge and guard arm, is threaded into the body of strap 50 and contacts with eyewire 68 so that the screw 89 may be tightened to hold the eyewire 68 in place and also keep the bridge and guard arm. in position. In attaching this mounting, the strap, not shown, to which eyewire 68 is soldered, is attached to the lens. The strap 60 is then attached to the lens 25 by means of screw 85, the eyewire is fitted snugly around the upper edge of the lens, the end being inserted in space 61, and it is held in place while screw 8! is tightened.

In the modification shown in Figs. 1416 the strap 10 comprises the front and rear ears I! and 12,'respectively. The strap I0 is secured to the lens 25. by any suitable means such as the fusible retaining element II which is molded in place under heat and anchored to the two ears II and 12. The construction and dimensions of the strap II are such that when the strap is attached to the lens a free space H is provided between the strap and theedge of the lens. As

with the construction shown in Fig. 1 the eyewire I5 has one end secured to a strap, not shown, attached to the lens. The eyewire member I5 extends along the upper edge of the lens and its free end extends down into the recess or free space 14. Adjacent to its free end, the eyewire .15 is provided with a T-shaped recess I. with a lateral opening rearwardly disposed and adapted to be brought into alignment with an opening 11 in the rear car 12. When the eyewire 1! issnugly fitted around the edge of the lens, it is secured to the strap 10 by means of a fusible retaining element I8 which is positioned in opening 11 and anchors itself in the recess II while in a fluid or plastic state due to heat. Upon'cooling, the element 18 will firmly hold the eyewire to the strap. The element 15 may be a non-metallic substance, such as a cellulosic material; or a low melting point metal alloy. The usual bridge and guard arm will, of course, be attached to the strap II as by soldering, for example.

The modification shown in Figs. 17-19 comprises the strap 80 having the front and rear ears 8i and 82, respectively. The lens 25 may be attached to the strap by means of any suitiii) I shapes and sizes could be secured to the straps able means such as the fusible retaining element 83 which is molded under heat and anchored to the two ears. The strap, on its inner face, has a recess 84so that when the strap is secured to the lens a free space is provided between the strap and the edge of the lens. With a construction similar to that. of Fig. 1 the eyewire'B5'is secured to a strap, not shown, and extends along the top edge of the lens with the end of the eyewire positioned in therecess 84. .The end por-' tion of the eyewire 85 is provided with ,a hole 86 so that when the eyewire is snugly fitted along the edge of the lens the hole 86 will be aligned, substantially, with the opening 81 in the strap and the bridge 88. With the eyewire held in position snugly against the edge ofthe lens, a fusible retaining element 89 is inserted'in opening 81. Heat'is applied so that the element be comes fluid or plastic and runs into opening 86. Upon coolingthe-eyewire 85 will'be firmly anchored to strap 80.

In still another modification, shown in Figs. 20 and 21, the strap 90 is secured to the lens 25 by' means of any suitable retaining means such as the usual screw'9l connecting the two ears -The other end of the eyewire is secured to another strap, not shown, so that the general structure is similar to that shown in Fig. 1. In attaching this type of mounting to the lens, the lens holes aredrilled and the other strap, with the eyewire soldered thereto, is secured to the lens by any suitable means. The eyewire 95' is then snugly fitted along the top edge of the lens with the notches 96 positioned so that they will be engaged by strap 90. If necessary the notches may be filed away to provide a proper fit. The

strap 90 is then slipped over the edge of the lens and over the notched portions 96 and the screw 9| put in place.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I am able to attain the objects of my invention and provide an improved lens mounting and method of making the same. In each of the modifications disclosed, the structure is such that the eyewire may be fitted snugly to theedge 'of the lens and then held in place while it is securedt'o the strap. Hence, extreme care and accuracy in drilling the. holes in the lens is not required since the. free end of the eyewire takes care of any slight variations. With these structures it is possible to providea semi-rimless eye glass or spectacle which can be properly mounted with a minimum of skill and accuracy.

Although Ihave shown means for attaching the free end' of the eyewire to the inner straps, carrying the nose bridge, the construction could be altered so the free end could be attached to the outer strap carrying the endpiece. Or, the eyewire could be entirely free and the construction of the straps such that the eyewire could be detachably secured at .each endto' a strap. In this way, eyewires of different pre-formed by the optician'without theuse of solder. Although I have shown the rim or eyewire positioned on the upper edge of the lens. the rim could be positioned along the lower lens edge.

In the constructions employing the fusible retaining means I may use any suitable metallic or non-metallicmaterial which will be rendered into a recess in the strap as shown in Figs. 10

and 15, for example, but if desired these recesses could be formed without bottoms so the eyewire would extend down through the recess. In the forms shown in Figs. 6 and 12 the eyewire projects down below the strap and, of course, the portion of the eyewire projecting below the strap could be cut off if desired to improve the 'appear ance of the mounting. Various other modifications and alterations can obviously be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.-

I claim:

' 1. A method of attaching an ophthalmic mounting to a lens which comprises securing one end of a rim member to a lens strap, attaching said strap to a lens by means of a retaining element passing through an opening in the lens, attaching a second strap toa lens by means of a retainingelement passing through an opening in the lens and simultaneously -securing the other end of said member to the second strap by an integral part of said element.

2. In an ophthalmic mounting the combination'of a strap having two ears between which a lens is positioned. an eyewire extending along the edge of the lens to saidstrap and fusible retaining means for securing the lens to the strap, said retaining means also cooperating with the eyewire to hold it to the strap.

3. In an ophthalmic mounting the combinationof a strap positioned on the face of a lens having an opening, said mounting having a'portion providing a free space between it and the edge of the lens, an eyewire extending along the edge of the'lens and into said space, and fusible retaining means positioned in said opening for securingthe lens to the strap, said means having an integral portion extending to said space for securing said eyewire to the mounting.

4. In an ophthalmic mounting the combination of a strap having two spaced ears, a lens having an aperturemount'ed between said ears, anchoring means on one of the ears, fusible retaining means positioned in said aperture and cooperating with said anchoring means to hold the lens in the strap, said strap having a portion providing a free space between it and the edge of the lens, an eyewire extending along the edge of the lens and into said space, locking means on said eye wire and retaining means integral with said firstnamed retaining means'cooperating with said locking means for securing the eyewire to the strap.

5. In an ophthalmic mounting the combination of two cars positioned on opposite faces of a lens having an opening, anchoring means on each of said ears, a fusible retaining element positioned in said opening and secured to the anchoring means on each ear, said mounting having a por-- tion providing a free space between it and the edge of the lens, an eyewire extending along the edge of the lens' and into said space, anchoring means on the part of the eyewire within said space, one or said ears having on its inner face a. groove extending from the anchoring means to said space, and fusibleretaining means cooperating with the anchoring means onthe eyewire to secure the latter to the mounting, said retaining means being integral with said element between the strap and the edge of the lens, placing an eyewire along the edge of the lens so that the eyewire extends into said space and then securing together the assembled eyewire, strap and lens.

7. The steps in the method of attaching an ophthalmic'mounting to a lens which comprises providing a strap having'spoced ears, placing the lens between said ears so as to provide a free space between the strap and the edge of the lens, positioning an eyewire snugly against the edge of the lens with the eyewire extending into 10 said space and securing together the assembled eyewire, strap and lens.

GERHARP A. 

